PEOPLE

“To Develop Human Resources” to Pass on the Aspirations of our Predecessors to the Next Generation!

Kato　 Now that you mention it, what was the reaction within the company when you proposed that the current operational assets be included in the World Heritage List of component parts?

Minakuchi　 In the beginning, there was still some opposition. However, through the enthusiastic lobbying of top corporate executives by Ms. Kato and discussions with overseas experts on the "Limit of Change," we gradually gained a deeper understanding and were able to reach an agreement on the condition that the proposal would "not interfere with our business activities." How to strike a balance between regulations and restrictions for the protection of cultural properties and business activities? Without the implementation of regulatory reform, the inscribing of these assets would have been difficult.

Kato　 Did you really think that the regulatory reform could be implemented?

Minakuchi　 The government led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) at the time must have thought that it would be the centerpiece of regulatory reform. Later, the project became a cabinet initiative, and Dr. Tatsuo Hirano, who was in charge of the project, took the lead in promoting regulatory reform. I think that was a major factor.

Kato　 Mr. Hirano had a deep knowledge and passion for steel. Speaking of regulatory reform, I think it was important that Minister Renho, who was in charge of government revitalization at the time, visited Yawata.

－－In the future, how will we pass on this precious historical heritage to the next generation? I would like to ask you about your opinion in regards to the efforts of companies in this matter in particular.

Kato　 I feel that Nippon Steel Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. seem to be doing a good job of educating young employees, including new recruits, about the history of their companies. Nowadays, with the severe business climate, there are probably fewer companies that spend time on such things, but I still think it is very important to learn about history.

Minakuchi　 Today's Nippon Steel Corporation was formed through the merger of various companies, with Yawata Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. as the predecessor after the war, so the company does not necessarily put much effort into educating people about the history of the company. However, I personally have strong feelings about Yawata Steel Works in the past. Especially during the post-war reconstruction period and the period of high growth, Yawata Steel Works was truly amazing in terms of technological development and corporate sports. The more I read about the company in old documents, the more I realized that the "Era of Great Yawata Iron Works" during its heyday was filled with great passion.

Kato　 I am sure the enthusiasm at that time was enormous. After all, it supported the reconstruction of Japan. There was even a time when the Kitakyushu Industrial Zone was responsible for about a quarter of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Japan. I would like to see this fact mentioned more and more in textbooks.

Minakuchi　 There is a misconception in regards to the history of the steel mill, so let me take this opportunity to explain. It is often said that the "Imperial Steel Works was built with compensation money from the Sino-Japanese War." In fact, there are some textbooks that say so, but this is a complete misunderstanding. Japan received 364.5 million yen in reparations from the Qing Dynasty, but if you look into the use of the money, you will find that most of it was used to build up the armaments of the army and navy, and only 580,000 yen, or 0.2% of the total amount, was used to build the steel mill. The final cost of building the iron mill was 19.2 million yen, so reparations accounted for only 3% of the total. The rest was covered by government bonds with an interest rate of 5% and the period for repayment of 50 years.

Note: The initial budget for the construction of the steel mill was 4.09 million yen, but it was later expanded, and thus, the actual cost of the construction fee of the steel mill was 19.2 million yen.

　Historical facts are sometimes bent by misunderstandings and preconceptions. I believe that the truth must be properly conveyed.

Kato　 Today, technology and production bases are being transferred to China and other countries, but I would like everyone to think once again about the starting point of "what it means to be an industrial nation." Even today, the industrial strength of Japan supports our affluent lifestyle. We must never neglect "monozukuri" (manufacturing). If we do not have the ability to make things domestically, we would not be able to even give birth to innovation.

Minakuchi　 That is certainly true. The most important thing is "the development of human resources," is it not? Whether it is technology or culture, the pioneers paved the way, and the people who came after them developed it further and built it up until today. I think it is important to nurture the next generation of leaders through the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution." I hope that the newly opened Industrial Heritage Information Center will help convey the "aspirations and thoughts of our predecessors" to the next generation.

－－Please let us know if you have any other suggestions for the future activities of the National Congress of Industrial Heritage (NCIH) and the exhibition and operation of the Industrial Heritage Information Center.

Minakuchi　 The Industrial Heritage Information Center is currently led by the great founder, Ms. Koko Kato, who is working tirelessly and with fury. However, I think it is also important as one of the activities of the foundation to educate the next generation of leaders. If we are not able to do so, there is a possibility that the second or third generation will end up destroying the National Congress of Industrial Heritage itself. Therefore, I think it is necessary to create a system to nurture human resources to create someone who can take over the passion of Ms. Kato and develop it further as an organization.

－－Thank you very much for your time today. I was able to hear such a valuable testimony.

Composed and written by Takeo Takashima